IX.

There are two forces that rule over magic in this world of dreams: The External and the Internal.

And although time and superstition cause the disappearance of ancient knowledge, those who insist on studying history and magical elements know the differences between the two:

External magic is the one that can be manipulated by every living being who studies enough. It is the magic that interacts with life in all of its forms and that, through the use of the magic nucleus that exists in every living being, manipulates natural elements, with wide applications in the most diverse aspects of life.

Internal magic is the one that interferes with the magic core itself. Instead of using it as a channel, the core is used as a repository, strengthening and regaining one’s own strength, and, exceptionally, doing the same for someone else. It is a magic capable of taking some of the life force of world itself. Much about this kind of magic is unknown, such as its relationship to thunders and its impact on the world, but the consensus among the scholars says that this is the magic of death, used by the incorporeals.

In the end, they are two distinct forces. The nomenclature is not mine, but from scholars of the past, who believed that incorporeal magic had to be associated with a generally negative characteristic. The reality is that they are just two opposing forces, destined to battle for the magical dominion.

Magic Notes – Armenvald of Fibo – Collections

*

Arthur stands up – for the third time since waking up – and tries to take a step forward. The leg fails and he falls miserably on the stone floor, feeling a burning pain. In an effort to not scream, he lets out a muffled grunt.

The impossibility of doing anything about the current situation is too frustrating for him. After all, the leg is not even able to sustain his body for a few seconds. And even if it was, the rest of his situation is even less encouraging. The leg, incidentally, serves as a distraction from the fact that he is trapped, alone, in a cell with a single, tiny entrance of light.

As he regains some strength, he remembers the girl from the night before. After confirming that she would help him, her image weakened to the point where it was impossible to see her. She did not return that night. He tried to wait, but his tiredness beat him, and he fell asleep.

Upon awakening, he felt that his body, though wounded, showed signs of rest – a light in the darkness. Fatigue and sleep, essential to the recovery, did the work in an exemplary way and were part of the very rare moments of tranquility in his mind.

Alone, sitting in his cell, he reflects for hours on what he could do. After last night, Arthur was determined to make use of this world in a way that he was not able to do until this point. He felt renewed and was determined to do whatever necessary.

His mind was restless with thoughts of recent days. The sight of the ogre, the violent beasts and, finally, the interaction with the appearance the night before are enough to keep him agitated. The few details he was given were not forgotten and the existence of this “other world” haunts parts of his mind that Arthur did not know existed.

He unsuccessfully asks the reason for such a fate. How could he be in this place? Not long ago, he had laid down in his comfortable bed on Earth, wondering what he would do to have a more exciting life, to get out of the routine of working and living days of marasmus. A routine which he would sacrifice the healthy leg to return.

He smiles at the thought and, suddenly, a loud sound burst ahead. Sitting as he is, facing the door, Arthur realizes that someone is opening a padlock on the other side. He gets up, slowly.

The door opens and, through it, appears the image of a pearly-haired creature, with sharp cheekbones and emerald eyes.

-Rinlia.

-Arthur.

The guard closes the door behind the elf’s back.

-Rinlia, what’s going on?

-We need to talk.

He does not recognize the meaning behind the glare in her eyes.

-What’s going on?

-Wouldn’t it be better if you sat down? Your leg shouldn’t be good enough for you to stand.

Not knowing how to explain his recovery, Arthur thought it best not to reveal the recovery in his leg. He shakes his head and sat on the floor. He was surprised when she sat in front of him.

-Can we talk now?

-Exactly what do you want to know?

The question irritates him.

-It isn’t obvious? Why am I in jail? Why do you keep treating me like a criminal or some kind of irrational creature that has to be locked up? What have I done to deserve such treatment?

-Arthur, these things are complicated. I know it sounds unfair, but-

-Does it sound unfair? Do you think it’s a matter of appearances? Are you saying that I am the problem, for not understanding the reasons behind my situation?

-Arthur, you have no idea the size of the problem we’re in.

-Are we? Wait, did you say “we”?

-Yes, “we”. I’m also dissatisfied with the situation. The Queen has given me permission to visit you as a courtesy, but I don’t know how much time we have alone. I understand you are nervous, but this is not the right moment. Maybe another day. When that’s a luxury you can enjoy.

-What are you talking about?

-I had no intention to keep you locked up. Not if you cooperated, of course. I wanted to bring you to Vivre, fulfill my mission and then take you back to Fiandel. You would be a guest of the kingdom and we would study the magic you possess.

-Rinlia, I understand you want to explain things to me quickly, but I don’t understand anything. You need to talk in a clearer way.

She stares at him for a moment, then smiles.

-What? – He asks.

-It is good to know that you can talk openly.

She shakes her head and he nod. The silence keeps going until he feels some discomfort.

-What was you talking?

-Right. I’m sorry. I think it’s best to start with the reason for your arrest.

He kept his mouth shut. She goes on.

-The way you came into this world is an anomaly. For starters, no one new arrived here in a long time. Today, very few living beings are old enough to have come from the last “wave”, or the storm that brings new inhabitants from other worlds. The overwhelming majority of inhabitants descended from others who came before. That is why it is fascinating to discover someone new and who, on top of that, came alone.

-Fascinating?

-Yes. Fascinating. Because, even in the past, those who came, did that in crowds. In huge ships and never in thunderstorms like yours. Some believe that it is an entity called Destiny that guides everyone to the place where their life begins and that the first moments here are omens of the life you will have.

He wanted to ask a lot of questions but kept quiet.

-And you, coming alone, surrounded by thunders, is not a good thing, because even if not everyone understands magic, they know one thing: Thunders are signs of the magic of the incorporeal.

-Incorporeal?

-Sorry, I am getting ahead of myself. Before I explain to you what they are, you need to understand some concepts. The first is that, according to scholars of this world, several species, from different worlds and realities, can transfer their consciousnesses during sleep.

-What? Are you saying that the body separates from the mind?

-Yes. These creatures have their consciousness divided into two parts: One that commands the body and activities during day and other, usually subconscious, which, while sleeping, wanders, searching for places to explore. This piece of the mind, at first, has no notion of space or time, accessing other realities, historical periods, etc. Always as an incognito bystander.

-Is that how I got here?

-All the waves were like that. This place is special. It is not in the same reality where you came from. – She points to the crack in the wall of the cell, where is possible to see the sky. – It is out of range by visible means. Here, somehow, these consciousnesses can absorb enough magic to form bodies. It takes time and occurs rarely, but that’s how the place came to life. Some chosen, while sleeping, appeared on a planet, in a world filled with creatures from different planets. And others, who have not been chosen, remain as spectators, consciousnesses that wander during sleep. Which serve as inspiration for fiction upon awakening.

Arthur passes his hand over his head.

-So, my body...

-Are you talking about the body in the human world? He doesn’t belong to you anymore. The other consciousness, your twin, is working to generate another subconscious now that you don’t exist.

-I… I…

-That’s not everything. The world we’re in is far from perfect. It has problems, like the creatures that attacked our camp. And they are not the worst part.

She continues.

-Remember what I said about the spectators? Some of them separate from their original bodies, but do not have the strength to reach this world entirely. They are creatures with just a small amount of magic. Nature did not give them a body.

“Because of this incomplete nature, these creatures, even unconsciously, steal the essence of the existence of others to maintain their form in this world, for they cannot do it alone. Therefore, they are a threat. When found, they are promptly slaughtered and, because of that, they hide, making occasional victims in order to survive. Like pests, you know. Hiding here and there. Luckily, it is easy to find most of them, because they come into this world confused, not even knowing the danger they are in.

-Are you talking about me? I don’t-

-Let me finish. When they are found, these creatures are sealed, dead or hidden. Around here, they’re identified by various names. The most used is “incorporeal”. They are pure, but scattered magic. Like everything that exists, they seek something they don’t have. They seek bodies to inhabit.

-Incorporeals. Are you talking about the creature that saved me from the bear? Is it some kind of ghost?

-It is a comparison that’s often made. However, they are not dead people; they are consciences that would like to inhabit this world but are unable to do it. They are weak without a source of auxiliary magic. After all, they can’t connect properly to the world, so they use an intermediary.

-And who am I in this whole scheme?

Rinlia’s eyes glow a more intense green.

-You are a horror story told to children. A nightmare for adults. A legend told by people gathered around bonfires. Because you are the one who can give strength to the incorporeals. A savior for those who believe that this world is corrupt and needs a radical cleansing.

-That’s ridiculous. How can you accuse me of something I didn’t even know about? How can you arrest me for something I didn’t do?

-Oh, but you’ve already done something. You didn’t even have to want. Do you remember the attack on the ruins? The bear? The thing that protected you was an “incorporeal”. Normally, they don’t have as much strength and, if they did, there would be rumors in nearby towns about their existence, but we didn’t hear anything about it along the way. That incorporeal was hidden until the last possible moment, which is only possible because it was weak. And, when you felt threatened, you gave it enough strength to intervene.

-And am I supposed to be punished for that? She didn’t do anything wrong. On the contrary, she is the reason I survived.

-Her? Has the creature showed gender characteristics in such a short time?

Arthur regrets his words when he sees the elf’s face.

-It’s not that. I…

She shakes her head.

-It doesn’t matter anyway. Not anymore. I explained all this so you can understand why you’re in jail. When I brought you, my intention was to keep you hidden to take you to Fiandel on the way back. To help us understand this magic and, who knows, maybe we could solve this problem permanently. Whoever could do this would be closer to mastering the laws of this world.

-You are talking about a plan that, apparently, did not work out.

-Of course not. – She gets up, impatiently. – Aetna stepped forward in a way I did not expect. – She looks at him and notices his expression. – Aetna is the queen of Vivre, the kingdom we are in. She is not the problem. The kingdom itself is.

-What do you mean?

-This kingdom has its own traditions and culture. The name “Vivre” is derived from a language I don’t know, but, apparently, it means “life”. Life is the entity that protects these lands. Everything here is done in the name of “Life”.

-Entity?

-Yes. It is… Cultural. You can think about it as superior beings who governs everything. Some believe that the entities exist, and that “Life” is the one that protects this realm.

He shakes his head.

-I get it.

-No, Arthur. You didn’t get it. – More and more she finds herself irritated. It is not anger, but impatience, like the one she often feels when giving orders to untrained soldiers. – Life is the greatest ruler in this kingdom, and its laws are relative. The most important lives are the ones of the creatures that inhabit the kingdom. Their citizens, nobles and royalty. It’s not the lives of the incorporeals, quite the contrary.

-What are you saying?

-What I am saying is that you are the biggest threat possible to this kingdom. Any other nation would think about your power before trying to destroy it. Vivre, on the other hand…

-What are they going to do with me?

She closes her eyes. Arthur knows the answer but does not want to believe it. Rinlia knows the answer but does not want to tell it.

-You must do something. – She says. – I cannot help you, not in a meaningful way. Besides, I don’t even know if I should help you. – His face makes her regret the words, but the elf keeps on talking. – The risk is too big. You have no idea.

-And you won’t help me. – He feels a myriad of feelings, among which the fear and irritation stands out. – Then, what are you doing here? You came here to tell me that I’m going to be killed by lunatics, that’s it?

-I came here to tell you that I’m not staying in this town forever. – She is almost whispering. – In the next few days, before your… Sentence is given by the Queen, I will leave this town. If, by any chance, you get out of here… Maybe I could provide you with a ride out of the kingdom.

He keeps quiet, looking at the floor.

“There’s got to be a way out.” He thinks. “There’s got to be something I can do.”

-Arthur, this is all I can offer.

“Oh, of course, because you’ve been of great help so far.”

-I am here because of you. – He cannot hold the words that jump out of his mouth.

-What?

He turns his gaze to her.

-You are the one who got me off the beach. If you had left me there, I’d be killed, but at least I would have a chance to fight. Now, what am I supposed to do? Do you really think there’s any chance I can get out? Look at me, Rinlia. I can’t even stand up.

Rinlia turns to the door and knocks on the wood.

-I’m sorry. But that’s the way things are.

His expression is one of grudge.

-And you really think that apologies can help me? I mean, look at me. I’m going to die, Rinlia. And it’s your fault.

The door opens.

-No, Arthur. It is the way the world-

-It is also your fault. Your actions. The actions of your soldiers. Go to hell. If you even know what that is. I am going to die. To die! For something I didn’t do!

He continues.

-Don’t think I’m grateful because you came to me. That sitting on the floor and talking to me is enough to make up for everything that is happening now. This is not going to help me. Don’t forget: This is your fault.

“And the burden of my death is upon your shoulders!”

*

*